The New Nation - Internet Edition

Atiqa Odho has conducted recently an interesting interview with prime minister Shaukat Aziz. The interview was one of the products of Odho corporation telecast by GEO News channel of Pakistan on the evening of 10 May 2008. The outcome of interview can be, in many respects, considered as revealing, lesson bearing, advisory, and an antidote or a response (or both) to the present day criticism of acts and deeds during his (I mean, PM Aziz) prime ministership and under his leadership - as appropriate. PM Aziz was appreciative, in relevant ways, when it comes to matters pertaining to effectiveness of overall leadership of President Pervez Musharraf during his prime ministership and the president's personal commitment towards Pakistan and Pakistanis, among other things.

PM Aziz was found to be apparently polite, articulate, pragmatic, collected and intelligent through out the interview. The demonstration of a balanced amount of relaxed informality by the interviewer and the interviewee in the session and an excellent handling of questions and answers by both of them during that session added an additional dimension to the program's (I mean, the interview) overall viewer friendliness and usefulness.

PM Aziz indicated inter alia he will continue to give advice to governments, leaders, institutions and others in pertinent areas as and when he is requested or required (or both) to do as such in the days ahead. He reiterated his commitment to Pakistan and Pakistanis in that respect. It was revealed via the interview, PM Aziz had advised, in the past, relevant leaders of PPP, PML (N) and others on pertinent matters.

Aziz has started writing a book; he is planning to undertake developmental projects including inter alia those associated with micro-credits for poverty alleviation; he has put a strong emphasis on the application of entrepreneurial skills to the country's development dimensions and advised the youth in that respect; his past time includes inter alia playing with his grand child.

The last word: a continuing progress and prosperity of world countries under the present day contexts of uncertainties, competitions, needs-wants disparities and deprivations would depend on, among other things: how best and quickest the countries could use local, national, global and other talents, discoveries, innovations and inventions in pursuits of creating, sustaining and promoting comparative, competitive and other advantages for sustainable development through out the world? People should rise on the occasion and become more broad minded (for example) on a per capita basis (as far as humanly possible) while dealing with above requirements, per se. Let us work for the best.

Dr. M. S. Haq

Dhaka